Symptoms, Diagnosis and Monitoring of 心律失常

doctor listening to patient's heart

心律失常 should be evaluated thoroughly by your health care team. They may ask about various symptoms and your medical history.

很多不同的症状

心律失常 can produce a broad range of symptoms and results. Your experience with arrhythmia may also differ depending on the type. For instance, a single premature beat may be felt as a “palpitation” or a “skipped beat.” Premature beats that occur often or in rapid succession may increase awareness of heart palpitations or a “fluttering” sensation in the chest or neck.

That same “fluttering” or “quivering” is associated with 心房纤颤 (AFib or AF), which is a particular type of arrhythmia.

View an animation of arrhythmia.

When arrhythmias (including AFib) last long enough to affect how well the heart works, more serious symptoms may develop:

  • 疲劳或虚弱
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Fainting or near-fainting spells
  • Rapid heartbeat or pounding in the chest
  • Shortness of breath and anxiety
  • 胸痛或压力
  • Alternating fast and slow heart rate
  • 出汗
  • In extreme cases, collapse and 心脏骤停 

重要提示: If you have chest pain or pressure, you may be having a heart attack. 立即拨打911.

How do heart attack symptoms differ?

Fluttering and heart palpitations are telltale signs of arrhythmia, including AFib. Other serious heart problems, such as heart attack, have similar warning signs.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. This denies oxygen to the heart muscle — possibly damaging or destroying organ tissue.

The symptoms for heart attack can vary widely, just like symptoms for arrhythmia.

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Other symptoms can include:

  • Chest discomfort or pressure that may come and go
  • Discomfort in the upper body, including both arms, the back, stomach, neck and jaw
  • Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
  • Cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Symptoms of heart attack in women 还能更微妙吗. Often those affected by heart attack — men and women alike — aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help.

If you think you may be having a heart attack, don’t delay. Get emergency help by calling 911 immediately. 

心律失常 and 中风的症状

People with AFib are 4 to 5 times more likely to have a stroke than those without AFib. So it’s vital to be familiar with 中风的症状.

立即拨打911 if you notice one or more of these symptoms, even if the symptoms are temporary or seem to disappear. 

If you suspect that you or a loved one may have arrhythmia, see your health care professional. Several tests can diagnose and monitor arrhythmia.